How Do We Use For and Since?
Have / has + past participle (the third form of a verb: live, lived, lived) talks about things that happened at some time before now. The same form also talks about something that started in the past and is still true. Add for or since to say how long.
FORHow long
It started six years ago and is still true.
I've lived in Đà Nẵng for six years.
SINCEFrom when
She has worked at this hospital since 2020.
PRESENT SIMPLENo length given
My cousin works at a bank in Huế.
To say how long something has lasted up to now, use the present perfect, not the present simple.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"My parents blank in this house since 1998."
The forms
FOR
Shave / has + past participlefora length of time
We've been friends for ages.
for three days · for two weeks · for a long time
SINCE
Shave / has + past participlesincea starting point
I haven't seen Linh since Tết.
since Monday · since 2019 · since I was a child
QUESTION
How longhave / hasSpast participle?
How long have you known each other? Since high school.
IT'S … SINCE
It'sa length of timesinceS + past simple
It's two years since we last met.
When the period is over, keep for but use the past simple: Grandpa was a teacher for thirty years. He has stopped now.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"It's three months since I blank my grandparents."
For or Since?
| FOR | SINCE | |
|---|---|---|
| Goes with | a length: three days · ten years · a month | a starting point: Monday · 2015 · my birthday |
| Example | The lift has been broken for a week. | The lift has been broken since Friday. |
For counts how long. Since names when it started.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"The shop has been closed blank last Thursday."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:I live here since 2019.
Correct:I've lived here since 2019.
Since 2019 reaches up to now. Use the present perfect.
Incorrect:She has worked here since three years.
Correct:She has worked here for three years.
Three years is a length. Lengths take for.
Incorrect:How long do you know Minh?
Correct:How long have you known Minh?
How long up to now needs the present perfect.
Incorrect:I've had this bike for 2021.
Correct:I've had this bike since 2021.
2021 is a starting point, not a length.
Quick check · 5 questions
Choose the correct tense:
Mr Bình has run the bakery on our street since 2012.
- A. has run — Correct
- B. runs
- C. is running
Answer: A. has run
He started in 2012 and still runs it. Run, ran, run.
Choose the correct word:
We've been neighbours since we moved here.
- A. since — Correct
- B. for
- C. from
Answer: A. since
"We moved here" is when it started. Use since.
Choose the correct question:
How long have you had your car?
- A. How long have you had your car? — Correct
- B. How long do you have your car?
- C. How long time have you had your car?
Answer: A. How long have you had your car?
No do, and no time after long.
Choose the correct tense:
It's ages since I watched a film at the cinema.
- A. watched — Correct
- B. am watching
- C. watch
Answer: A. watched
The part after since is the last time it happened.
Choose the correct tense:
My uncle worked in Japan for three years. Then he came back to Vietnam.
- A. worked — Correct
- B. has worked
Answer: A. worked
He is back home now. For still works, with the past simple.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 14 questions